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Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

He paused on the path, smiling widely, his white fangs glistening in the afternoon sun. "So this be it eh, the city of pleasures. Now this be a fit place to plunder." He chuckled to himself, taking a swig from the jug on his side. He swallowed the swig of rum, letting it hang off his belt again, the strings of bones clattering against each other as he strolled into the town, his booted feet making little sound as he wound his way through the throng.

The temptation to pickpocket was strong, but he was far beyond being a petty thief. As he received side glances, he tipped the brim of his hat to the onlookers, who stared at his golden clothing. He chuckled again to himself saying, "Aye a proper place for a scallywag like meself to find some nice booty." He noticed a tavern and licked his lips, making for the entrance.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

From the same tavern the man headed, there came a small wolf, whose attention was completely taken by a worn book on his hands. He keeper an eye foward with little effort however. The instant the glare off the sun came from the golden linings of a fur just up ahead, he couldn't help but look up with curiosity. ".......?"

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

(Methinks orange is hard to read. Lemme know please.)

He made his way under the awning of the tavern, taking in a deep breath, then exhaling slowly. "Only thing be missing from the smell is the foul odor of furs who been at sea to long and refuse to bathe." He chuckled to himself, then added, "Not that I'm complaining or nothin." He turned watching the streets full of other furs, then noticed a wolf with a book, and his curiosity piqued. Using no restraint to keep his voice low, he called out to the man. "You there, wolf-sir, what be you reading?" He approached the fur, his golden fur and outfit sparkling more in the bright afternoon sunlight.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 07 Nov 2009 Posts: 2846

Andrew Wolf was sitting two seats from the two furs. One surprised for many reasons the smell of age,look not being how hes sued to, and attitude but the other he think he knows. Andrew had his accoustic gutiar in its old case beside. him. The wolf ordered a pint of beer to relax and fix his thrist.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

The instant the colorful and loud figure approached him with a question, the wolf in black did not hesitate to answer in a low tone. "Sun Tzu's Art of War.". His answer was straighfoward and without any other hint in it. The wolf then made no attempts to hide his obvious curiosity at the man's choice of clothing, they're color and style being far from what any ordinary fur would be used to seeing in Bon Bon.

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

He chuckled loudly, patting the stranger on the back hard. "Now there's a good read. Had to stitch me own book together part by part." He smiled at the man, stretching out his hand, "Marl Mickelson. Pleasure to meet you laddy." Marl held his smile in place as if he had not a care in the world.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

The first thought that went through Wolf's mind was 'A reader.....? Could've fooled me...'. The pat on the back and the awaiting hadnshake took him by surprise and as such, he extended his own hand. "Wolf Stride.......sorry if I am not very talkative....". In his mind however, more thoughts formed. ' Haven't I heard that name before....?'

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

He chuckled loudly smiling even wider. "Trust me laddy, quietness is sometimes preferable to a bunch of furs ramblin on with incessant complaints and what not. Course, lots of landfurs are quiet, compared to seagoing furs. Ever been on a boat then Wolf?" As he spoke, he wrapped an arm around the mans shoulders, steering him towards the entrance to the tavern, the strings of small bones on his hat clacking together with a dull musical sound. His well groomed golden tail slipped from underneath his cloak, twitching occasionally from side to side. "Let's get a drink of rum while we chat me hearty. Perhaps you can recommend some accomdations for a seafaring new comer." He held the door open to the tavern, waiting for Wolf to enter, still smiling cheerfully.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

"Been on plenty....". Keeping to himself mostly, he tucked the worn book under his arm and as the fur pushed him towards the tavern, the young fur in black felt a little awkward. It even felt like De Ja Vu, due to this being something Grimm would do. ".....very well."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 07 Nov 2009 Posts: 2846

Andrew was listening itn the conversation between the two. He jsut turned aroudn and looked at them smilign to show hes friendly. tHan he siad to the one in the outfit.

"so your a sialor or pirate h'm, haven't sene one of your kind in years."
"So how's it been going on your travels?"

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

He chuckled at Wolf's hesitation. "Don't tell me you can't handle your booze Wolf." He picked a table near the back with a nice view of the mountains in the distant. Even though it was only mid-day, the tavern was semi full, and a little noisy. "Have a seat, I'll get the barmaids attention." He turned his back to Wolf, his golden tail still visible as he let out a shrill whistle, silencing the crowd for a moment. "A bottle of your finest rum and one glass." As he finished speaking he dropped a bag of money onto the countertop, a few coins rolling out, revealing they weren't all florins.

Coins with different markings came to a stop, but one thing was evidently clear, every coin was made from gold. He spun his chair around, sitting down in it, taking his hat off to reveal golden blonde hair, that was tied into a short pony tail. He sat the hat down onto the table top, once more smiling at Wolf. He pulled an impressively made goblet out, wiped it out with a silken cloth, then said, "Now that she'd ready to be used, all thats needed is that rum." He looked around, and spotted the vulpine barmaid. "Ah here's the lass now with our drink." He smiled widely at the barmaid as she set the bottle and a single clean cup down onto the table. Marl handed her a fistful of coins, and asked, "Will that be enough to cover the bottle?"

The barmaid nodded quickly, trying to sort out how much to give back. "Keep the rest as a tip and spread amongst the other girls." With that he turned his attention back to Wolf, as the barmaid took off with a happy smile. "I'll pour, and you tell me more about this town." With that said, he unscrewed the lid, pouring Wolf's glass full of the strong smelling rum, then filling his to the brim. He set the bottle down, fitting the cap loosely over the bottle, then picked his glass up. "Cheers mate, to a new friendship and a change of scenery." His smile was as genuine as his words about a new friend.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

In all honesty, Wolf was taken aback beyond imagine. He certainly thought this day to be like any other, but it would be mean of him to let the lad's good generosity to go to waste. He didn't want to insult him and as he watched the rum be poured and his words said, he took a deep breath, took his glass in hand and drank his rum lime a salty dog would, all the way down to the last drop in one serving. "......you work fast, Mr. Marl. Well, since you know how to break the ice far better than I....". He couldn't help but think. Who was this man? Why did his name sound familiar? Then, just as he drank from his golden Grail, it hit him. The infamous pirate Marl Mickelson, known across the seas far and wide. A pretty hefty bounty on his head too. Strangely enough however, he didn't seem all that dangerous or even remotely evil as ever so depicted by his informants. Wolf simply had to test him. ".....why not have a good ol' fashion Rum drinking contest, just to see who holds their own better?". It was a shot in the dark and completely unexpected from someone who would know Wolf.

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

Marl had just finished his glass and was reaching for the bottle to refill his cup. He had watched Wolf drink the glass of rum down, and was only a little surprised. He was halfway through refilling his glass, when he heard Wolf's challenge. He smiled, letting out a loud laugh, as he stood. "A friendly drinking contest then eh? It's been YEARS since anyway had the stomach to challenge me." With that said he walked into the middle of the tavern, easily leaping up onto the centermost table.

He whistled shrilly again, quieting the tavern, then cleared his throat. He spoke in a normal tone, but it was enough to reach every patron. "Hear ye hear ye, me good furs. A drinking contest the likes of which you've never seen is about to begin. Kindly clear a path from the bar to this table, and then sit back and enjoy the show." As he jumped down from the table, he smiled widely. Any tavern was the same. When a drinking challenge was set to begin, people did as told.

The tables were shifted, and a clear path for the barmaids was set. Marl walked up to the barkeep, leaning forward and whispering into his ear. Two bags of money exchanged hands, then Marl walked back to the center table, sitting down and motioning for Wolf to join him. "Come now mate, time for us to begin. Rules are, drink from the bottle. Each bottle will be the same in size and amount. First one to fall out of their chair, pass out, or call it quits by capping an unfinished bottle loses."

He watched Wolf closely, holding his hand out in a friendly gesture. "I wish you luck Wolf me hearty, because no one's ever beaten me in a rum drinking contest." His eyes turned to deathly steel as he said in a quieter tone, "Not even when all my bottles were poisoned, though" he smiled again, the steeliness of his gaze gone, replaced by his normal happy look, "I doubt you'd try anything as lowdown as that."[/img]

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

"I'd be insulted if you thought I would....". Wolf wasn't exactly new to the game of rum, but he wasn't the heavy drinking type either. He simply hoped for the best this time. "Rules are clear and table is set....alright, to the bet man his own.". Quietly, Wolf sat down on the table that was cleared into the middle, the patrons already making bets and watching closely from far and wide.

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

Marl thumped the table hard three times and the barkeep and the barmaids came out, each loaded down with about five bottles. They set them on the table, evenly splitting the bottles between the two men. After it was all said and done, each had 20 bottles in front of them. Marl motioned them away, then grabbed his first bottle, placing his hand on the lid. "Ready up then, me hearty. Time for this drinking contest to begin." With that said, Marl motioned again. Two barmaids stepped forward. "They'll clear the empty ones." With that said, Marl untwisted the lid to his first bottle, and begin to guzzle the rum from the bottle.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

"Here goes nothing....". He was nervous. One could tell, for before he unscrewed his bottle's lid, he took a deep breath and wiped his face with his spare hand. The instant he pressed his lips on the bottle however....his adam's apple began to bobble incredibly, the drink being taken like water for the stomach. He even bad his eyes close, expecting the worst.

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

Marl finished his first bottle, quickly setting it to the side, then reached for a second and third bottle, unscrewing both. With no hesitation, he leaned his head back, pouring both bottles at a steady pace into his mouth, quickly finishing them. He repeated the process on his fourth and fifth bottles, pausing only to say. "Don't push yourself to fast or to hard there mate." He began drinking the fourth and fifth bottles down as well.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

Just as he finished his first bottle, his sight was greeted by Marl already proceeding to drown two more at the same time. His eyes widened somewhat, because this was turning 'regretable' and fast, patrons chanting and banging on tables as they said "Pirate! Pirate! Pirate!". The nickname must've come from the way he dressed, but Wolf had different matters to attend to. Catching his breath again, he had no choice but to ante-up and follow the leader in this case. With his gloves in two unscrewed bottle caps, the two popped out accordingly and the rum inside began chugged. Not fast enough of course, since Marl already had a two bottle advantage.....

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

He could see Wolf trying to keep up, even though Marl knew there was no way for Wolf to win. He finished his fourth and fifth bottles with ease, then slid them aside. His next move had the crowd roaring with deafening approval. Marl went and unscrewed the lids from his sixth bottle, all the way up to the fifteenth bottle. He roared out above the crowd, "Time to really chug." With that said he picked up the sixth bottle, placed it to his lips, and practically inhaled the contents of the bottle in a single go, starting on the seventh before the sixth had even been cleared. His rapid drinking pace put him well ahead of Wolf, and due to the new method of drinking, he was quickly on his eleventh bottle, showing absolutely no signs of the alchohol running through his system.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

At times like these, Grimm would certainly be a blessing. Marl was way ahead of him, Wolf barely keeping behind on his now sixth bottle. The drink wasn't getting to him yet, but his stomach was starting to take a hit. Hopefully he could last a few bottles more.

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

He quickly reached the fifteenth bottle and emptied. He only had five bottles remaining. Marl knew he was going to win, but he liked putting on a show. He unscrewed hi final five bottles, stood up in his chair, then rocked the chair until it was only on one leg. He balanced four bottles of rum on one arm, then used his tail to spin the chair. As he began to spin, he tipped the fourth bottle into his mouth, and held it there with his teeth, guzzling the rum down faster than ever.

As he finished the fifteenth bottle, he released it from his mouth, the barmaid hurriedly reaching out to catch it. He grabbed the sixteenth bottle from his arm, beginning to drink it, the chair still spinning and wobbling on one leg, though it did not seem to have any affect on his ability to stay perfectly balanced while drinking.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

(( Sorry about that huge delay. Damn phone didn't let me connect into the forums.... ))

Slowly, Wolf looked up at his competitor with a raised eyebrow, slowly set down the eleventh rum swig he had taken and looked up. ".....I give, you blasted showoff...". A gloved paw went to his forehead though. That much rum and such an act from the man had given Wolf a headache.

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

Marl finished his final bottles, flipping into the air from the chair, then landing on his feet, leaning forward on his arms staring across the table. "Not a bad effort there laddie." He motioned to the barkeep, then said aloud, "This contest be over bucko's. Back to ye own business and drinks." With that said he helped Wolf out of the chair he was in, leading the man back to their original table, swiping a couple bottles of rum at the same time.

He eased Wolf into the seat, then set the bottles down, turning to the barmaid who was now behind him, taking a bottle of fizzing water. "Drink up Wolf. It'll do your stomach good after downing that much rum." He sat into his own chair, opening a bottle of rum, taking a long slow sip from it, thumping the bottle back onto the table. "Still clear headed to talk about the town, or shall I give you a few minutes?"

As he spoke his eyes darted to the door, cursing quietly. "By Davy Jones locker, what in the blue depths of the ocean are THOSE idjits doing here. Told them to sail the ship back to the cove." He let out a low sharp whistle, drawing the attention of a mean looking rat wearing a long trenchcoat, and a burly looking beaver, carrying a wicked looking club.

The two heard the whistle and looked towards Marl, easily picking him out in the semi-sparse crowd. The rat motioned the beaver outside, then moved along the walls to Marl's table. The rat saw Marl's glare, and started shaking a little. Marl stood staring the rat down, his fist clenched in rage. "What are you doing here Rark? And why did you bring Brockton?"

Any bounty hunter knew the names. Rark was Marl's first-mate, and Brockton was the self appointed bodyguard of Marl, guarding Rark when Marl wasn't around. Both fiercely loyal, and extremely cunning.

"Cap'n," Rark said with a deep-set voice, "Star wurn't farin well a-sea, so's we had to bring 'er inta a cove to che'k 'er ova. She got pierced sumtin foul below da waterline. Crew's working on a temp'ary dry dock. We'll be settin sail in a few days time, but I felt I needed ta report direct. Sor'y Cap'n. It be my fault." Rark stood quiet waiting for whatever was to come.

Marl sighed, unclenching his fist. "The shipbuilder is still aboard. See if he's willing to trade a drop at any port he chooses for repairing the damage properly. Make sure it's clear if she starts to leak again, we'll go after him." Marl scratched his forehead. "Here," he fished into his cloak, dropping a bag of money into Rark's hand. "Go buy a barrel of rum, and take it back to the boys. Remember Rark, six months and I better see either you or Brockton."

Rark took the bag, nodded, and added, "Aye Cap'n. We'll stow her and the crew well, then we'll be back." With that Rark walked off, getting two barrels of rum. Marl smirked, "Cheeky bastard." Rark got Brockton to carry one while he carried the other, both leaving the tavern.

Marl sat back down, sighing in frustration. He knew the ship had been in perfect health, which meant someone had purposefully tried to stop the ship. He shook his head, taking a long drink from the bottle of rum, then smiled as he said to himself. "Rark'll handle things. He knows somethings afloat."

(sorry it's long winded.))

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

(( It's alright. Wolf's head is too screwed by the rum now anyways. ))

"Ugh........give me a few minutes......". From the sound of his voice and the way he gripped his head in place, you could tell it wasn't his stomach he worried about and as the conversation took place, Wolf pulled out a bag of florins. He pulled the bag out of habit more than anything and as such, he was less than rational at the moment...

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

Marl saw the bag and the way Wolf was acting. "Mate, if you don't drink this water down now, I'll force it down your throat." He said it in a light tone, but his eyes said he was serious. "Trust me, you'll feel as good as new in a couple hours, until then, it'll dull the ache from light and noise and such."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

"Urgh.....I know, I know......just needed a few minutes.....". Wolf didn't sound drunk or dizzy. He did sound out of tone however and spoke lightly. As he took the fizzling water and slowly began to drink it; his hands went up to his head again. "Besides........You couldn't force it down my throat, even if your life depended on it.....". The little rebellious bit was no doubt a side effect from so much rum in one sitting.

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

Marl chuckled loudly. "Still a bit of spunk in ya huh. Aye you've no doubt seen serious combat. Though..." Marl set a small medicinal pack onto the table that clearly belonged to Wolf, "I didn't have ya pegged for a doctor. It's lucky you had those herbs in there. Mine're a bit stronger than the average stuff. And sorry about taking it, but you didn't seem to be in good shape, and I recognized it as an herbal pouch." Marl smiled after delivering his apology.

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

In seconds, his pain dissapeared and Wilf fished in the innards of his jacket. The instant he saw his medical gear out like that, to have been taken so easily from such a place....Wolf glared foward with some obvious anger. But what surpassed that was amazement. "How the hell did you pull this out of my jacket like that?". The amazement and the rum now began affecting the way he spoke even, his way of talking making him sound like a young ruffian.

Rank: Mr. Fabulous Joined: 01 Jun 2011 Posts: 431

"Counter-weight approach. People notice when their jackets feel lighter. Take the item you want, while depositing something of equal weight. Say for example a bag of scented wood pieces. Equal weight, they smell like herbs, why bother to check the pocket then." Marl watched Wolf, waiting for the drink to clear his head, before asking about the town. "I assure you, I am far beyond a petty theif. I took what was needed, used only what was needed, and have returned said item with no damage or harm done to it. If you wish to hit me for trying to ease the rum, then go ahead mate, I'd deserve it for stealing in the first place." His seafaring tone had gone, replaced by the words, actions, and thoughts of a properly educated young gentleman. "Your call Wolf."

Rank: Super Veteran Joined: 18 Dec 2009 Posts: 7678

With a rub of his eyelids, Wolf looked foward. ".....I meant how the hell did you reach into the right side of my jacket and took a medical bag that is literally pressed to my skin at all times....". With a sigh and a shake of his head, his eyes went straight to the ceiling. "Never trust the U.S. Navy togive you a psych profile for an infamous pirate....". Again, tge last part was the booze talking. Normally, Wolf wouldn't be that straighfoward.